Akin Gump has advised PJSC LUKOIL on a project financing of up to $1 billion to finance further development of the Shah Deniz gas field (Phase 2) in the South Caspian Sea in Azerbaijan. The transaction was signed on August 7 in Baku. More >>

International law firm Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer has advised the joint lead managers in relation to an issue by the Republic of Zambia of U.S.$1,250,000,000 8.970% Notes due 2027. This is the third time the Republic of Zambia has accessed the international debt capital markets since 2012. More >>

Global law firm White & Case LLP has expanded its financial restructuring and insolvency capabilities in the EMEA region with the addition of Ian Wallace as a new partner in London.

“Our Financial Restructuring & Insolvency practice in the UK and Europe has experienced vibrant growth in recent years, particularly on the strength of our relationships with London’s distressed investor community,” said White & Case partner Thomas Lauria, Global Head of the Global Financial Restructuring & Insolvency Practice. More >>

Sidley Austin LLP announced today that Rupert Wall has joined the firm as a partner in its Global Finance practice in London. Recognized in legal directories as one of the brightest young partners in the London market, Mr. Wall brings a broad range of structured finance experience to Sidley’s market-leading securitization and structured finance practice, recently named “Finance Team of the Year” at The Lawyer Awards 2015. In particular, Mr. Wall has led the structuring and restructuring of securitization deals across a broad range of asset classes, including trade receivables, credit-card receivables, auto loans, vehicle rental fleets and mortgage loans, and a broad range of structures, including CLOs, ABCP conduits and whole business securitizations. More >>

Cooley has augmented its London-based IP capability with the addition of three patent practitioners who will found the firm’s UK patent practice. Joining Cooley are David Wraige, Jacqueline Ireland and Daniel Sellwood. More >>

International law firm Bryan Cave LLP has announced a new partner appointment to its Financial Services Group in London. Rachel Kelly joins from Macfarlanes, where she had been head of Structured Finance and Capital Markets for four years, having previously been a partner in Clifford Chance’s structured debt group for 14 years. The appointment – which comes within weeks of two other lateral hires to the Financial Services Group in London – further enhances Bryan Cave’s experience in this sector. More >>

Kirkland & Ellis International LLP is pleased to announce that Michael Steele will join the Firm’s London office as a partner in the Finance Practice Group. Mr. Steele advises private equity sponsors, credit funds and financial institutions across a broad range of complex and cross-border financing transactions, including leveraged and real estate finance, special situations investments, loan portfolio acquisitions, and restructurings. More >>

Kirkland & Ellis LLP advised New York City-based private equity firm Warburg Pincus in the sale of Coyote Logistics, a Chicago-based truckload freight brokerage company, to UPS (NYSE: UPS) in a $1.8 billion cash transaction. The full release can be found here. More >>

Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP is pleased to announce that Philip Crump will join as a partner in the London office. Formerly a partner with Kirkland & Ellis in London, he will continue his debt finance practice at Gibson Dunn.

“We are delighted to welcome Phil to the firm,” said Ken Doran, Chairman and Managing Partner of Gibson Dunn. “The London office is a priority for investment and a growth area for us. We have made significant strides in building a top quality English law transactional practice, consisting of cross-border M&A, private equity, corporate, real estate and finance. Phil will add to our depth and strength in finance and restructuring and will mark another significant step toward our goals.” More >>